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13 things about life and society cops learn from the beat

A question posted recently on Quora asked, “What have you learned as a police officer about life and society that most people don't know or underestimate?” Former Police Commander Rick Bruno gave his opinion on the topic, below. Check it out and add your own thoughts in our comments section.

1.) A life can change permanently — or end — in an instant, without warning or second chances.

2.) A suicide has more than one victim.

3.) Children should not have to see some things.

4.) The "safest" neighborhoods can be the deadliest.

5.) Most people don't really know their neighbors.

6.) It is one thing to catch a person "red handed," it is quite another to convict them.

7.) The police uniform is a symbol. It is not protection. The emotions of the people you serve go right through it.

8.) Many, many people will never see their own situation as their own fault, when they should. They therefore miss the opportunity to heal.

9.) Many Americans insist they know their rights. Some do, most do not.

10.) If a person repeats something three times, he is intoxicated. ("No wait, no wait, no wait ...")

11.) If we listened to each other we would avoid most of the problems we have with one another.

12.) Someone wants what you have, even if your only possession is a dryer box.

13.) There are some amazingly evil people in the world. They will hurt you just for fun, and they lack the ability to feel bad about it.

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